A Norfolk ambulance worker has described how he "feared for his life" when he was taken hostage at knife point by a man who had called claiming to be suffering from chest pains.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) paramedic attended a home at Humbleyard in the Clover Hill area of Norwich after a call from Daniel Howard, 47, who said he was suffering from chest pains.

Eastern Daily Press: A paramedic was held captive at an address at Sorrel House on Humbleyard, NorwichA paramedic was held captive at an address at Sorrel House on Humbleyard, Norwich (Image: Google)Norwich Crown Court heard the lone paramedic entered the property before Howard went into the kitchen "and picked up a knife" and stood in a doorway, blocking the exit, stating "I want to hurt someone".

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Ian James, prosecuting, said Howard approached the paramedic and held the knife about "a foot away from his face".

Howard again said he wanted to hurt someone and when asked by the paramedic if he wanted to hurt him the defendant said that he did.

The paramedic, who hit his panic button in a bid to alert colleagues, tried to get Howard into the living room and pleaded with the defendant to "put the knife down" adding "let me help you".

But Mr James said Howard, who attempted to cut his wrists during the incident, held the knife up and told the paramedic "you're not leaving".

The paramedic repeatedly asked Howard to put the knife down but he refused to during the incident which lasted about 15 minutes.

Eastern Daily Press: A paramedic from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust was called to the incidentA paramedic from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust was called to the incident (Image: Newsquest)He told Howard he was going to leave as he "didn't feel safe" but was told by the defendant: "You're not leaving. You need to help me".

The paramedic said he needed to get a piece of equipment from his vehicle to assist Howard and left the property, calling the police who arrived shortly after to arrest the defendant.

Howard appeared at court on Wednesday (February 14) having previously admitted false imprisonment and threatening another with a blade in a private place on July 12 last year.

Eastern Daily Press: Daniel HowardDaniel Howard (Image: Norfolk Police)Before Howard was sentenced the court heard a statement from the paramedic who said he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of previous jobs he has been on and after "being trapped" by Howard who threatened him with a knife "feared for my life".

He said the incident has left him "fearful" about future jobs he might attend and means he is now worried "all patients pose a risk to my safety".

Recorder Nicola Fitches said the paramedic had gone to Howard's address to provide emergency medical treatment but threatened him with a knife and did not allow him to leave.

Jailing Howard for 25 months, Recorder Fitches said he had caused the paramedic "serious and ongoing distress" and insisted health workers must be able to carry out their jobs without fear of being attacked.

She did however concede the offence was, in part, due to his mental health and that he had not intended to hurt or imprison the paramedic.

Rob Pollington, for Howard, said the defendant "cannot remember" the incident but had "hit rock bottom" and was "in crisis".

He said he had mental health issues but has since found a better way of coping and has been given help to cope via other agencies.

Mr Pollington said there was no question of how dreadful it was or how serious the consequences were for the paramedic.

He said Howard had shown significant remorse for what happened and insisted the "horrors" of this incident had been the catalyst for change since when he has tried to tackle his alcohol issues.